Best Practices: Workshops from Demonstration Sites

Monday, June 19

“Getting to story: investigation as the basis of good writing” Jeff Gruber, Montana Heritage Project Site Director (Read these essays by Jeff’s students: “Songs of Hope” by Rachel Reckin and “Senator John Geiger: A Cold Front” by Amanda Shotzberger.)

“An Expedition to the 1930s: What you need to know and what you’ll want to take” by Mary Sullivan and Nancy Widdicombe, Montana Heritage Project Demonstration Site Directors

“Pointers, pitfalls, and payoffs: picking great topics for community research--and making any topic great” by Nancy Heggen, Montana Heritage Project Demonstration Site Director

“Point of entry: using family heirlooms to connect students with the big questions in literature and history” by Renee Rasmussen, Montana Heritage Project Site Director

“How to get your kids to write like Studs Terkel: unleashing creativity through family and community history research” by Christa Umphrey, Montana Heritage Project Mentor (Read this essay by Christa’s student: “My Oma” by Britney Maddox.)

“Gifts of scholarship: real work your students can do for your community--with an emphasis on non-narrative modes of analysis” by Sarah Zook, Montana Heritage Project Site Director

“Students as leaders of community forums—updating the Montana Study Model” by Tom Thackeray, Tim Schaff, and Dale Alger with students from Roundup High School. Additional insights from Montana Study Projects at Libby High School (Jeff Gruber) and Chester High School (Renee Rasmussen)

“Keeping it real: using family history to teach authentic research and writing” by Phil Leonard, Montana Heritage Project Site Director

“Exploring other cultures: a case study of the Hutterite Project” by Nancy Widdicombe, Montana Heritage Project Site Director

About the Summer Conference for Place-Based Teaching

This will be the 12th Annual Summer Conference offered by the Montana Heritage Project in partnership with the Library of Congress and the Montana Historical Society.

Heritage teachers pass on to the next generation the best of our heritage in literature, history, and science. Students contribute to our cultural heritage by conducting field research, including oral history and scientific and literary investigations.

Grants are available for classroom projects.

Who Should Attend?

The Place-Based Conference is a must-attend for any high school teacher who wants to engage young people in the excitement of exploration and creative scholarship. It is vital for administrators seeking a clear vision of the best ways to support high academic standards.